The big picture: Mama Ricotta’s opened in August of 1992 and turns 30 next month. Its sister concept, Little Mama’s, opened in SouthPark in 2020 and has quickly become a Charlotte staple in its own right.

Why it matters: Recent closures of popular local restaurants like Soul Gastrolounge and The Stanley tell a story of a city struggling to hold onto its beloved dining scene. Little Mama’s tells a different story — fortunate enough to survive, and even thrive, throughout the pandemic.